Calvin Abueva's Alaska Aces Mixtape Is Fitting Before Their First Face-Off

For the first time, Calvin Abueva will be sharing the court with the PBA team that drafted him, albeit on the other side. Following an impressive couple of games with his new squad the Phoenix Fuel Masters (12 ppg 9.5 rpg 4.5 apg.), the man called the Beast is expected to be raring to go against the Alaska Aces.

Abueva assured fans that he would be all business against his former teammates, and even described his first face-off with Alaska as a "good matchup." He told SPIN.ph, "Sa akin, syempresacourt yan eh. Wala namangpersonalan yan. Yung sacourt, sacourt. Sa labas, iba kami."

It was an unfortunate end to a successful six-year alliance, which saw the second overall pick of the 2012 draft win Rookie of the Year, a PBA championship (2013 Commissioner's Cup), and a Best Player of the Conference award (2016 Commissioner's Cup), among other accolades. Everything went downhill between the Aces and Abueva after the latter went missing in action twice during the 2017–18 season.

Before these familiar foes hit the hardwood later today, FHM compiled the most defining moments of Abueva's unbelievable run with Alaska.

Ever since he joined the Uytengsu-owned franchise, the undersized forward has been nothing but a ball of energy on both ends of the floor. He was like a controlled monkey wrench that was thrown into the Aces' system ball.

Proof of his invaluable presence were 20-point, 20-rebound games like this one, where he showcased his passion and versatility. No wonder he's being compared to the likes of Dennis Rodman and ex-Alaska import Sean Chambers.

Abueva is no stranger to post-game Best Player interviews, thanks to his going all-out every time he steps on the court. When he's not filling the stat sheet, the frenetic tweener is defending the opposing team's best player.

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He was named Best Player of the Conference during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup, where he averaged a career-high 17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He beat out runners-up Greg Slaughter, Terrence Romeo, and Jayson Castro.

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But above all else, Abueva's play as an effective irritant is largely responsible for him being identified as a polarizing figure. Love him or hate him, the Beast will do everything, physically or mentally, to help his team get the W—and Alaska knows that best.